7500 kilometres of coastline, romantic villages, ancient sites, bubbling volcanoes, imposing cities full of cultural treasures and a kitchen to kneel down: Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Lake Garda, Venice, Milan, Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Sardinia, Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Puglia – to visit these amazing destinations, almost completely surrounded by the Mediterranean, there is hardly any reason you need. So, you must pack your bags and just go!
Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Lake Garda: Part of the village of Sirmione lies on a peninsula that juts out into the lake
Our Advice
Take the train from Rome via Naples to Messina. This route mainly travels along the sea, past the beautiful Amalfi coast and Naples. Although the trains in Italy are usually not quite as comfortable as in some of the other European countries – the tickets are much cheaper in comparison.
A tract of around 30 kilometres of beaches of Messina
The nicest way to start an evening in Italy is the “Aperitivo”. From 6 pm, many bars offer a glass of wine or Martini for free, such as fried olives, cheese, pizzette, grilled vegetables or Arancini (fried and filled rice balls the size of oranges). But don’t get too eager filling up your stomach as if it were your dinner!
Some Interesting Facts
Almost 70% of the almost 60 million Italians live in the north of the country, especially in cities and conurbations. The more rural South is also significantly poorer than the northern regions, where much of the economic activity happens.
The scenic gardens of North Italy
The alleged number 1 of the powerful Sicilian mafia, now 51-year-old Matteo Messina Denaro, has been on the run since 1993. In the year 2000, the Sicilian, who is said to have personally killed at least 50 people, barely escaped arrest.
An old photo of Sicilian Mafia members
The roof of the Milan Cathedral is walkable. From here, the details of the church are clearly visible. On clear days, the view extends even to the Alps.
View from the roof of Milan Cathedral
Avoid Doing These
Leave your valuables behind in major cities like Rome, Naples or Florence. In Italy, a lot is stolen – among other things, cut the thieves their unsuspecting victims in the crowd from below the purse.
Get upset right away when Italians want to talk to you about the Nazis and Hitler-Germany or make jokes about them. Behind it is almost always never a bad intention, but pure curiosity.
Dine in restaurants right next to tourist attractions. Wherever a “tourist menu” is advertised, one is usually ripped off and given bad food. You almost always get delicious food everywhere else.
Events to Attend
Rome Marathon: on a Sunday in March in Rome
Lantern Festival: on the 7th of September in Florence
Carnival: from 26th December in Venice
Useful Phrases
Hello / good day – Ciao / Buon giorno
Goodbye – Arrivederci
Yes / No – Si / No
Please / Thanks – Prego / Grace
My name is… – Mi chiamo…
Help! – Aiuto!
I do not speak Italian – Non parlo italiano
Invoice, please – Il conto per favore
What does it cost? – Quanta costa?
Cheers! – Salute!
Sorry – Scusi
One / Two / Three – Uno / Due / Tre
Important Public Holidays
New Year’s Eve: January 1st
Epiphany: January 6th
Liberation Day: April 25th
Labor Day: May 1st
Republic Day: June 2nd
Assumption Day: August 15th
Christmas: December 25th
St Stephen’s Day: December 26th